Tour de France blog

Let’s start by saying that, much to my Welsh parent’s dismay, I’m not much of a sports fan! I’m a technologist who has little interest in watching a ball being kicked or tossed around a field and would much rather view strings of code working together in unison to form the perfect programming gameplay. I do however see a synergy between technology and sports and am both intrigued and excited by the way this relationship is steadily evolving.

Pro cycling is a thrilling sport, but watching it on TV has never been the most immersive experience for the casual fan who hasn’t donned lycra and been caught in the middle of a ‘live’ peloton themselves. Unlike Formula 1 broadcasts, where viewers can hear the scream of engines and see real-time data on each car’s speed or G-forces, cycle racing has largely avoided such bells and whistles.

I have a confession to make, well two actually – data doesn’t turn me on and I haven’t ridden a push bike on a road for some time. All the more reason to spend a couple of days with Dimension Data at the Tour de France.

Montgeron / Paris: After Dylan Groenewegen's (TLJ) winning sprint on the Champs-Élysées, it’s time to celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s Tour de France riders, with Chris Froome (SKY) as champion once again. Here are the most striking data bytes we’ve gathered from three weeks of exhilarating action.

Briancon / Izoard: Warren Barguil (SUN) rose to a brilliant stage win atop the Col d'Izoard, while Chris Froome (SKY) held on to the Yellow Jersey, which he’s likely to keep until the final stage in Paris.

Laissac-Severac 'Eglise / Le Puy-en-Velay: It took Bauke Mollema (TFS) several years of commitment to snatch his first stage victory on the Tour de France; while Chris Froome (SKY) fought as hard as ever to retain his Yellow Jersey.

Blagnac / Rodez: Also known as ‘Bling’, Michael Matthews (SUN) stormed to an uphill win on Saturday at the end of stage 14. The final ramp to the finish also saw Chris Froome (SKY) reclaim the Yellow Jersey from Fabio Aru (AST).

Nantua / Chambery: Stage 9 of the Tour de France was no less than a rollercoaster ride! Rigoberto Uran (CDT) won a thriller of a race, while Chris Froome (SKY) neatly avoided the dangers that took Richie Porte (BMC) out of contention with a nasty crash.

Troyes / Nuits-Saint-Georges: Marcel Kittel’s (QST) dominance of bunch sprints at the 2017 Tour de France was seriously challenged by Edvald Boasson Hagen (DDD) on stage 7. But the German always seems to have the edge in the end.

Vittel / La Planche de Belles Fille: Fabio Aru (AST) made the most of the first mountain stage on the 2017 Tour de France with an impressive win. He snatched victory from Dan Martin (QST) and Chris Froome (SKY) who now leads in the General Classification.